As the joyous Sankranti festival approaches, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is preparing to welcome travelers with open arms and an extensive network of special services designed to bring families together during this beloved celebration.

In an announcement that brings good news to festival travelers, APSRTC Executive Director for Operations, A. Appala Raju, revealed the corporation's ambitious plan to operate 8,432 special buses throughout the Sankranti period. This comprehensive travel strategy reflects the organization's deep understanding of community needs and its commitment to connecting people with their roots.

The timing couldn't be better. With the successful implementation of the Stree Shakthi free bus travel scheme for women already making waves across the state, APSRTC has thoughtfully adapted its Sankranti 2026 strategy to accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger movement. This year, officials are noticing a heartwarming trend: more people are eager to travel to district headquarters, mandal towns, and villages to celebrate with their loved ones.

Recognizing this beautiful desire to reconnect with family and heritage, APSRTC has made the meaningful decision to prioritize intra-state services. An impressive 6,000 buses—accounting for 71 percent of all special services—will operate within Andhra Pradesh itself. This ensures that even travelers heading to smaller towns and villages will have reliable, comfortable transportation options.

The remaining 2,432 services will maintain important connections to neighboring metropolitan areas, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai, ensuring that those working or studying outside the state can also join in the festivities.

The thoughtful planning extends to the timing of these services. In the pre-festival period, when excitement builds and travelers begin their journeys home, APSRTC will operate 3,857 special services. The vast majority of these—3,500 buses—will serve routes within the state, while 240 services to Hyderabad, 102 to Bengaluru, and 15 to Chennai will help bring back those celebrating from farther away.

After the festival concludes, when travelers return to their daily routines refreshed and recharged, APSRTC will operate 4,575 special services. This includes 2,500 buses for intra-state travel and robust inter-state connections with 1,800 services to Hyderabad, 200 to Bengaluru, and 75 to Chennai.

This comprehensive approach demonstrates APSRTC's evolution into a truly passenger-centric organization. By analyzing travel patterns and responding with appropriate services, the corporation is making festival travel less stressful and more accessible for everyone.

The initiative also highlights how public transportation continues to play a vital role in maintaining cultural connections and enabling traditions to flourish. For many families, especially those in smaller towns and villages, these special buses represent the bridge between daily life and treasured festival moments with loved ones.

As Sankranti 2026 approaches, APSRTC's extensive preparations promise to make this festival season memorable for all the right reasons—bringing people together, supporting traditions, and ensuring that everyone can participate in this beautiful celebration of harvest, gratitude, and family bonds.